This week, we had a tragedy in our office. A young couple lost their newborn baby. They knew a month before that there was a problem with the baby, and they didn't disclose this to most of us. The baby boy was born on Tuesday and lived a mere forty minutes. We do not know what the condition was that made this infant leave this earth so quickly, but we do know how heartbroken his parents are and how all of us in the office are just stunned. We here are having a hard time knowing what to do. We want so much to help this couple out, but we are at a loss on how to help them. We want to do something special to remember Baby Ian, and to honor his parents.
We are all doing the usual things, asking questions, praying, and it has made a lot of us remember that our problems aren't that big of a deal in comparison. The question is, what, would be an appropriate way to go about doing something for this family? Should we talk to them first, make a donation to the hospital in the baby's name? Maybe we can plant a tree or purchase the headstone for the grave, is there is one. Has anyone else gone through something similar? What was something that you now appreciate that you didn't even realize was such a big deal at the time?
God really has started working around here. We are a charitable group and when something happens to one of our own, then we want to jump in and help. But in this case, we are kinda at a loss.
Psalms 135:13
Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.
Showing posts with label psalms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label psalms. Show all posts
Friday, March 11, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Give up the Guilt
Psalm 88 is depressing. The psalmist keeps talking about being put in the pit, how he is taken from his closest friends, how God's wrath weighs on him. To me that sounds like guilt! When we feel the guilt and shame of our sins, sometimes we think that everyone knows what we have done and that we are shameful and trying to hide something. But, God knows. Whether anyone else knows or not, God knows. The only way out of that feeling is to ask God for forgiveness and to forgive yourself. Then you ask for the same forgiveness of our brother that you wronged. The best part is when you ask God for forgiveness, he will remember the sin no more. That is the good news. God will save you from that guilt and shame. So tell God your sins, give up that guilt and shame and live a life that is knowing God loves you and forgives you.
Psalm 88:1a
1 LORD, you are the God who saves me;
Psalm 88:1a
1 LORD, you are the God who saves me;
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
I Love My Town
Have you ever seen the television show Undercover Boss? It is a show on CBS where the CEO or President of a company goes undercover (in disguise) to see how things are working in areas of their company that they never see or hear of. Mingling with the little people, so to speak. It's actually really enjoyable and not so mushy and I love to see the bigwigs get down and dirty. It makes me giggle.
On the show this week, Mark Mallory, the mayor of Cincinnati went undercover. He is the first elected/government official to do this on the show. It was very interesting to learn more about this man, to see his love for Cincinnati, and to see how he would react to the brow-beating that all the bosses get a taste of, because they ask the question, "How do you think the board of directors/powers that be are doing for the company?" I was also a little nervous to see how the show producers would show Cincinnati. Cincinnati has gotten a lot of bad publicity in the past few years. I am happy to report that Mayor Mallory and the show did well. While the mayor is not the most entertaining person to watch, he is very intelligent.
The first job the mayor did was ride around with the one person in the city who picks up the roadkill and other dead animals in the city. That had to be horrible. I was laughing at the sense of humor the city worker had for his job and the reaction of the mayor. He didn't complain, but he looked grossed out. That is one job I would hate to have. Mayor Mallory also had to work on the city's vehicles, work at the McKie Recreation Center, and give parking tickets to those who were downtown and did not have their meter kept up. As he was walking around with the meter attendant, he saw a vehicle who had a bumper sticker that stated "ILoveCincinnati". I even saw one this morning on my drive in to work. Mayor Mallory has a heart for his town. He seems to really care about what happens here.
Watching this show gave me a softer heart for the man who represents our biggest city in Southwestern Ohio. I have always loved everything about Cincinnati. Just as God loves the city of Zion in chapter 87 of Psalms. The second verse says that God loves the city more than any other.
2 The LORD loves the gates of Zion
more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.
God is preparing a new Zion for us and we will all be there. He will write our names down in the register, and is making each of us a place to live. I can't wait to sit down and feast at his table. I can't wait to walk on the golden streets and the see the crystal river. I can't wait to see those who were before me. But for now, I want to make my city a place that people will have pride in and respect. Do you love your city?
On the show this week, Mark Mallory, the mayor of Cincinnati went undercover. He is the first elected/government official to do this on the show. It was very interesting to learn more about this man, to see his love for Cincinnati, and to see how he would react to the brow-beating that all the bosses get a taste of, because they ask the question, "How do you think the board of directors/powers that be are doing for the company?" I was also a little nervous to see how the show producers would show Cincinnati. Cincinnati has gotten a lot of bad publicity in the past few years. I am happy to report that Mayor Mallory and the show did well. While the mayor is not the most entertaining person to watch, he is very intelligent.
The first job the mayor did was ride around with the one person in the city who picks up the roadkill and other dead animals in the city. That had to be horrible. I was laughing at the sense of humor the city worker had for his job and the reaction of the mayor. He didn't complain, but he looked grossed out. That is one job I would hate to have. Mayor Mallory also had to work on the city's vehicles, work at the McKie Recreation Center, and give parking tickets to those who were downtown and did not have their meter kept up. As he was walking around with the meter attendant, he saw a vehicle who had a bumper sticker that stated "ILoveCincinnati". I even saw one this morning on my drive in to work. Mayor Mallory has a heart for his town. He seems to really care about what happens here.
Watching this show gave me a softer heart for the man who represents our biggest city in Southwestern Ohio. I have always loved everything about Cincinnati. Just as God loves the city of Zion in chapter 87 of Psalms. The second verse says that God loves the city more than any other.
2 The LORD loves the gates of Zion
more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.
God is preparing a new Zion for us and we will all be there. He will write our names down in the register, and is making each of us a place to live. I can't wait to sit down and feast at his table. I can't wait to walk on the golden streets and the see the crystal river. I can't wait to see those who were before me. But for now, I want to make my city a place that people will have pride in and respect. Do you love your city?
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Revenge, is it so sweet?
When I was little, I am sure that when another child took my toy, I tried to take it back. As a pre-teen, I would scheme ways to get back at all those kids who hurt my feelings, made me mad and upset me. Revenge, on paper, seems to always give a purpose when in the planning stages. You can feel the satisfaction of how the other person should react, and in your minds eye, it is the perfect plan. But, how far do you actually take it?
Revenge is like most everything else. It sounds good on paper, but when you actually follow through with the plan, it leaves you empty. You have the weight of the shame and guilt on your shoulders like a heavy blanket. Plus, it usually doesn't make the person you took the revenge on look at you in the same light. I am not one who honestly likes or plots revenge. I do not spend a lot of time thinking on what to do to get back at someone. It's not in my DNA, I think. Now, as an adult, I have better things to do than worry about how to avenge myself. some of you may call this a flaw. That I let people step all over me and take advantage of me. I have never thought of it as being taken advantage of. If I had a problem with that, I would speak up. They say I am too nice. I say it is less effort to be nice to someone than fight them on it.
As I was reading Psalm 83, this was the thoughts that came to my mind. God needs to be the avenger, not us.
1 O God, do not remain silent;
do not turn a deaf ear,
do not stand aloof, O God.
2 See how your enemies growl,
how your foes rear their heads.
3 With cunning they conspire against your people;
they plot against those you cherish.
4 “Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation,
so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.”
5 With one mind they plot together;
they form an alliance against you—
6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,
of Moab and the Hagrites,
7 Byblos, Ammon and Amalek,
Philistia, with the people of Tyre.
8 Even Assyria has joined them
to reinforce Lot’s descendants.
9 Do to them as you did to Midian,
as you did to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,
10 who perished at Endor
and became like dung on the ground.
11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,
all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,
12 who said, “Let us take possession
of the pasturelands of God.”
13 Make them like tumbleweed, my God,
like chaff before the wind.
14 As fire consumes the forest
or a flame sets the mountains ablaze,
15 so pursue them with your tempest
and terrify them with your storm.
16 Cover their faces with shame, LORD,
so that they will seek your name.
17 May they ever be ashamed and dismayed;
may they perish in disgrace.
18 Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD—
that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.
Revenge is like most everything else. It sounds good on paper, but when you actually follow through with the plan, it leaves you empty. You have the weight of the shame and guilt on your shoulders like a heavy blanket. Plus, it usually doesn't make the person you took the revenge on look at you in the same light. I am not one who honestly likes or plots revenge. I do not spend a lot of time thinking on what to do to get back at someone. It's not in my DNA, I think. Now, as an adult, I have better things to do than worry about how to avenge myself. some of you may call this a flaw. That I let people step all over me and take advantage of me. I have never thought of it as being taken advantage of. If I had a problem with that, I would speak up. They say I am too nice. I say it is less effort to be nice to someone than fight them on it.
As I was reading Psalm 83, this was the thoughts that came to my mind. God needs to be the avenger, not us.
1 O God, do not remain silent;
do not turn a deaf ear,
do not stand aloof, O God.
2 See how your enemies growl,
how your foes rear their heads.
3 With cunning they conspire against your people;
they plot against those you cherish.
4 “Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation,
so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.”
5 With one mind they plot together;
they form an alliance against you—
6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,
of Moab and the Hagrites,
7 Byblos, Ammon and Amalek,
Philistia, with the people of Tyre.
8 Even Assyria has joined them
to reinforce Lot’s descendants.
9 Do to them as you did to Midian,
as you did to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,
10 who perished at Endor
and became like dung on the ground.
11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,
all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,
12 who said, “Let us take possession
of the pasturelands of God.”
13 Make them like tumbleweed, my God,
like chaff before the wind.
14 As fire consumes the forest
or a flame sets the mountains ablaze,
15 so pursue them with your tempest
and terrify them with your storm.
16 Cover their faces with shame, LORD,
so that they will seek your name.
17 May they ever be ashamed and dismayed;
may they perish in disgrace.
18 Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD—
that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Shine On Us
In this section of the book of Psalms, we are going through a series of prayers. The people feel that God has abandoned them. God never abandons you. He may step back and let you do your own thing to teach you a lesson, but He won't ever leave you or forsake you. Jesus tells us that. Some of these prayers are depressing. But this one, chapter 80, is not as sad. As with a lot of the hymns, this one was made into a song. I like the verse that is repeated throughout this chapter several times. I call it the chorus. It is found as verse three, verse seven and verse nineteen. Those three verses bring hope. All God has to do is look at you and you may be saved, if you are willing.
7 Restore us, God Almighty;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.
7 Restore us, God Almighty;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
A Warning for All Christians
Psalm 78 is a synopsis of the children of God. It's the story of how God's children treated God and how God responded. It should be a warning to all us Christians. What we have that they didn't have is the blood of Jesus covering us. I am so thankful for that!
This psalm is long, but some of the most important teachings are in the first eight verses. The author definitely did not mince words with this one.
1 My people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth with a parable;
I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
3 things we have heard and known,
things our ancestors have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their descendants;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
his power, and the wonders he has done.
5 He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
to teach their children,
6 so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.
8 They would not be like their ancestors—
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
whose hearts were not loyal to God,
whose spirits were not faithful to him.
This psalm is long, but some of the most important teachings are in the first eight verses. The author definitely did not mince words with this one.
1 My people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth with a parable;
I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
3 things we have heard and known,
things our ancestors have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their descendants;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
his power, and the wonders he has done.
5 He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
to teach their children,
6 so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.
8 They would not be like their ancestors—
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
whose hearts were not loyal to God,
whose spirits were not faithful to him.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Affirmations May Abound
Psalm 76 is a song to God about his wrath and power. It tells great things about what God does to those against him and how no one can stand against him. I hate conflict. If I do something wrong, I take the blame, right the wrong to the best of my ability, and move on. If someone comes at me with anger or accusations, I do not put up a fight. I am terrible at defending myself and do not want to talk out of anger. I want to let it lie for a few days and either revisit it or it is realized that it was just not that important.
I know a person that is not easy to work with. This person does not like to their authority to be questioned or challenged. If I think an instruction is clear and do it to the best of my ability, it is rarely satisfied by this person. This has led me to realized that I am someone who needs to have an "atta-boy" thrown at me, so I know that what I am doing is okay. It doesn't have to be every time, but when I do something at work, I need someone to say that it was fine, or no, there were things that had to be changed. Giving an affirmation to someone doesn't have to be grand or in public, but even God likes to hear that someone appreciates his greatness and all he does for us! So your assignment for this weekend, is tell someone that you do not normally talk to, that you appreciate something they do. You can write them a note, or you can talk to them at church. Just give them a little love this weekend!
1 God is renowned in Judah;
in Israel his name is great.
2 His tent is in Salem,
his dwelling place in Zion.
3 There he broke the flashing arrows,
the shields and the swords, the weapons of war.
4 You are radiant with light,
more majestic than mountains rich with game.
5 The valiant lie plundered,
they sleep their last sleep;
not one of the warriors
can lift his hands.
6 At your rebuke, God of Jacob,
both horse and chariot lie still.
7 It is you alone who are to be feared.
Who can stand before you when you are angry?
8 From heaven you pronounced judgment,
and the land feared and was quiet—
9 when you, God, rose up to judge,
to save all the afflicted of the land.
10 Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise,
and the survivors of your wrath are restrained.
11 Make vows to the LORD your God and fulfill them;
let all the neighboring lands
bring gifts to the One to be feared.
12 He breaks the spirit of rulers;
he is feared by the kings of the earth.
I know a person that is not easy to work with. This person does not like to their authority to be questioned or challenged. If I think an instruction is clear and do it to the best of my ability, it is rarely satisfied by this person. This has led me to realized that I am someone who needs to have an "atta-boy" thrown at me, so I know that what I am doing is okay. It doesn't have to be every time, but when I do something at work, I need someone to say that it was fine, or no, there were things that had to be changed. Giving an affirmation to someone doesn't have to be grand or in public, but even God likes to hear that someone appreciates his greatness and all he does for us! So your assignment for this weekend, is tell someone that you do not normally talk to, that you appreciate something they do. You can write them a note, or you can talk to them at church. Just give them a little love this weekend!
1 God is renowned in Judah;
in Israel his name is great.
2 His tent is in Salem,
his dwelling place in Zion.
3 There he broke the flashing arrows,
the shields and the swords, the weapons of war.
4 You are radiant with light,
more majestic than mountains rich with game.
5 The valiant lie plundered,
they sleep their last sleep;
not one of the warriors
can lift his hands.
6 At your rebuke, God of Jacob,
both horse and chariot lie still.
7 It is you alone who are to be feared.
Who can stand before you when you are angry?
8 From heaven you pronounced judgment,
and the land feared and was quiet—
9 when you, God, rose up to judge,
to save all the afflicted of the land.
10 Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise,
and the survivors of your wrath are restrained.
11 Make vows to the LORD your God and fulfill them;
let all the neighboring lands
bring gifts to the One to be feared.
12 He breaks the spirit of rulers;
he is feared by the kings of the earth.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Psalm 73
Sometimes it feels like no matter how much I follow God or how much I try and show His love, people who are self-centered and not what I would call a Christian seems to get ahead and prosper in so many ways while I get deeper in debt and feel so unworthy. Now part of that is my own self confidence, and part of that may be jealousy. I sound all judgy now, don't I? That's not where I am trying to go with this. Sometimes it feels like the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Can you tell I just did my taxes?
Ironically, that is how the psalmist tells it in Psalm 73.
Surely God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
I had nearly lost my foothold.
3 For I envied the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
But God will deal with them. They may get ahead here, but where does that count? In eternity, it is those who obey and follow God. You do not have to be the one who stands out in the crowd, but you do have to be the one to do what God wants you to do, when He wants you to do it. If we worry about everyone else in the world and their actions, we do not concentrate on our own actions and how they fall into God's will. Think about it. Are you more worried about what your neighbor is doing than what is happening in your own house? Are you irritated with what the politicians in Washington are saying, and not talking to the council men in your own town? Is your heart staying with Jesus, or the world?
I hope you are staying faithful to God. It's not that you can't worry about others. Just don't worry to distraction. We need to keep ourselves from sin. God will take care of the unrighteous just as he takes care of the righteous. Sometimes it is not for us to understand until later.
16 When I tried to understand all this,
it troubled me deeply
17 till I entered the sanctuary of God;
then I understood their final destiny.
Ironically, that is how the psalmist tells it in Psalm 73.
Surely God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
I had nearly lost my foothold.
3 For I envied the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
But God will deal with them. They may get ahead here, but where does that count? In eternity, it is those who obey and follow God. You do not have to be the one who stands out in the crowd, but you do have to be the one to do what God wants you to do, when He wants you to do it. If we worry about everyone else in the world and their actions, we do not concentrate on our own actions and how they fall into God's will. Think about it. Are you more worried about what your neighbor is doing than what is happening in your own house? Are you irritated with what the politicians in Washington are saying, and not talking to the council men in your own town? Is your heart staying with Jesus, or the world?
I hope you are staying faithful to God. It's not that you can't worry about others. Just don't worry to distraction. We need to keep ourselves from sin. God will take care of the unrighteous just as he takes care of the righteous. Sometimes it is not for us to understand until later.
16 When I tried to understand all this,
it troubled me deeply
17 till I entered the sanctuary of God;
then I understood their final destiny.
Monday, February 7, 2011
A Prayer for a Son
Psalm 72 is a prayer from David to God about David's son and successor, Solomon. It's a nice prayer that asks God to give Solomon what he needs to be king of Israel. The most interesting thing about this prayer is the last verse. The verse says that this concludes David's prayers. So does this mean there are no more recorded in the Bible? Did he whisper this prayer on his deathbed? Whatever the reason, David said a great prayer for his son.
I pray for my son all the time. Mostly because I want God to cover him and keep him safe, but partly because Timm is such a free spirit and sometimes he doesn't think before he speaks. I ask God to keep him safe, help him make the right choices during the day and to be a blessing. I love my son and hope God's plan for him will be something I will get to see in the future.
Psalm 72
1 Endow the king with your justice, O God,
the royal son with your righteousness.
2 May he judge your people in righteousness,
your afflicted ones with justice. 3 May the mountains bring prosperity to the people,
the hills the fruit of righteousness.
4 May he defend the afflicted among the people
and save the children of the needy;
may he crush the oppressor.
5 May he endure as long as the sun,
as long as the moon, through all generations.
6 May he be like rain falling on a mown field,
like showers watering the earth.
7 In his days may the righteous flourish
and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.
8 May he rule from sea to sea
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
9 May the desert tribes bow before him
and his enemies lick the dust.
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores
bring tribute to him.
May the kings of Sheba and Seba
present him gifts.
11 May all kings bow down to him
and all nations serve him.
12 For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.
13 He will take pity on the weak and the needy
and save the needy from death.
14 He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
for precious is their blood in his sight.
15 Long may he live!
May gold from Sheba be given him.
May people ever pray for him
and bless him all day long.
16 May grain abound throughout the land;
on the tops of the hills may it sway.
May the crops flourish like Lebanon
and thrive like the grass of the field.
17 May his name endure forever;
may it continue as long as the sun.
Then all nations will be blessed through him,
and they will call him blessed.
18 Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel,
who alone does marvelous deeds.
19 Praise be to his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen and Amen.
20 This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.
I pray for my son all the time. Mostly because I want God to cover him and keep him safe, but partly because Timm is such a free spirit and sometimes he doesn't think before he speaks. I ask God to keep him safe, help him make the right choices during the day and to be a blessing. I love my son and hope God's plan for him will be something I will get to see in the future.
Psalm 72
1 Endow the king with your justice, O God,
the royal son with your righteousness.
2 May he judge your people in righteousness,
your afflicted ones with justice. 3 May the mountains bring prosperity to the people,
the hills the fruit of righteousness.
4 May he defend the afflicted among the people
and save the children of the needy;
may he crush the oppressor.
5 May he endure as long as the sun,
as long as the moon, through all generations.
6 May he be like rain falling on a mown field,
like showers watering the earth.
7 In his days may the righteous flourish
and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.
8 May he rule from sea to sea
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
9 May the desert tribes bow before him
and his enemies lick the dust.
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores
bring tribute to him.
May the kings of Sheba and Seba
present him gifts.
11 May all kings bow down to him
and all nations serve him.
12 For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.
13 He will take pity on the weak and the needy
and save the needy from death.
14 He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
for precious is their blood in his sight.
15 Long may he live!
May gold from Sheba be given him.
May people ever pray for him
and bless him all day long.
16 May grain abound throughout the land;
on the tops of the hills may it sway.
May the crops flourish like Lebanon
and thrive like the grass of the field.
17 May his name endure forever;
may it continue as long as the sun.
Then all nations will be blessed through him,
and they will call him blessed.
18 Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel,
who alone does marvelous deeds.
19 Praise be to his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen and Amen.
20 This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.
Friday, February 4, 2011
You Are As Old As You Feel
In a few weeks I will be a little older. Not old, mind you, but a year older. But as the saying goes, "You are as old as you feel." Most days, I feel I am in my twenties. Not old enough to have a 16 year old. But I can see in that the face in the mirror that is looking back at me has aged a little. I do not feel wiser, that is for sure. That is because I have teenagers. Have I learned anything in my past few years of life? I hope so!
I have learned that sometimes making others happy is not always an option. But making yourself happy is always an option.
I have learned that I am happy with myself.
I have learned that I do not want to go back to school and get more knowledge. I am not in a place in my life where that is my desire.
I am a work in progress with God.
I have learned how to read my children and what motivates them. I am learning the same with others around me too!
I have learned that personally, I do not need a ton of friends.
I have learned to love my church family!
I have learned that a love story comes in all shapes and sizes.
I thank God that he honors the older generation, because someday we will be part of it. I started thinking of this on the way to work this morning. But then I read Psalm 71 and found this verse. I love that God will take care of me and will keep me as his own when I am more mature.
9 Do not cast me away when I am old;
do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
I have learned that sometimes making others happy is not always an option. But making yourself happy is always an option.
I have learned that I am happy with myself.
I have learned that I do not want to go back to school and get more knowledge. I am not in a place in my life where that is my desire.
I am a work in progress with God.
I have learned how to read my children and what motivates them. I am learning the same with others around me too!
I have learned that personally, I do not need a ton of friends.
I have learned to love my church family!
I have learned that a love story comes in all shapes and sizes.
I thank God that he honors the older generation, because someday we will be part of it. I started thinking of this on the way to work this morning. But then I read Psalm 71 and found this verse. I love that God will take care of me and will keep me as his own when I am more mature.
9 Do not cast me away when I am old;
do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Psalm 70
In our Sunday School class, we just finished up on the Five Love Languages, by Dr. Gary Chapman. I found out what my love language is and more importantly, what the languages are of people around me. This morning, I was thinking of different people I know on my drive to work, and realized how much the love languages theme is starting to help me understand others. I don't try to put on airs or have pity parties, but just be myself. I like to have fun, try and wait for God to send me on my next path and know that no matter what happens, he will save me!
Psalm 70
4 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
“The LORD is great!”
5 But as for me, I am poor and needy;
come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
LORD, do not delay.
Psalm 70
4 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
“The LORD is great!”
5 But as for me, I am poor and needy;
come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
LORD, do not delay.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Out of the Water
When I was about twelve or thirteen, my family and my Dad's sister and her two boys went to Armco Park to go swimming in the lake. Now as most lakes do, it gets progressively deeper the farther out you go. While we were swimming, I went out where it was almost to my shoulders. I'd dive under, grab the mud on the bottom and see what I could bring up. I could do that for hours. I love being underwater, especially in dark, murky cool water.
Well, during this time, I came up for air, I hear someone yelling. I look over to the shoreline and see my Aunt Judy looking past me and starting to run. I turn around, and I see John's head going under, maybe for the last time. So I push myself over to where he is, grab him, and lift him out of the water. He grabs my neck with all his might and I carry him to the sand. He got in too deep and couldn't swim well enough to get out.
I was reminded of this incident when I read the first few verses of Psalm 69.
1 Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.
2 I sink in the miry depths,
where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
the floods engulf me.
3 I am worn out calling for help;
my throat is parched.
When you feel like life is crashing over you like waves, and you can't get your head above the water, God is there. Verse 29 states this very truth.
29 But as for me, afflicted and in pain—
may your salvation, God, protect me.
Praise be to God for lifting us out of the waters of despair. Out of the sin and trouble, he rescues us.
Well, during this time, I came up for air, I hear someone yelling. I look over to the shoreline and see my Aunt Judy looking past me and starting to run. I turn around, and I see John's head going under, maybe for the last time. So I push myself over to where he is, grab him, and lift him out of the water. He grabs my neck with all his might and I carry him to the sand. He got in too deep and couldn't swim well enough to get out.
I was reminded of this incident when I read the first few verses of Psalm 69.
1 Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.
2 I sink in the miry depths,
where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
the floods engulf me.
3 I am worn out calling for help;
my throat is parched.
When you feel like life is crashing over you like waves, and you can't get your head above the water, God is there. Verse 29 states this very truth.
29 But as for me, afflicted and in pain—
may your salvation, God, protect me.
Praise be to God for lifting us out of the waters of despair. Out of the sin and trouble, he rescues us.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
He is Listening
Update on my Dad. He had a blockage in the back of his heart that was 70 - 80%. The doctor put a stent in and he is as good as new, well, as good as Dad can be. He had to stay overnight in the hospital and will get to go home today, barring no complications. Thanks for all your prayers. He was already giving the nurses a hard time last night before I left.
As I read Psalm 66, I kind of feel that way about how Dad's procedure turned out. Praise God! He answered our prayers. The last three verses kind of sums it up.
18 If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened;
19 but God has surely listened
and has heard my prayer.
20 Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me!
But don't forget, there are so many others to prayer for and with. God will hear you, you have that confidence.
As I read Psalm 66, I kind of feel that way about how Dad's procedure turned out. Praise God! He answered our prayers. The last three verses kind of sums it up.
18 If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened;
19 but God has surely listened
and has heard my prayer.
20 Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me!
But don't forget, there are so many others to prayer for and with. God will hear you, you have that confidence.
Friday, January 21, 2011
He Did it!
I'm a little out of sorts today. Against my better judgment, I went to work. The roads were and are still terribly covered with ice and snow, though the sun is shining brightly. It is so cold that most of the treatments does not work. In fact, our city sent out an email telling us that not much will get done in the way of clearing off streets because of the weather. I didn't have any problems, it just took two hours to get from my house to my place of work. It should only take me 25 minutes. I am tense, irritated, and tired. The one thing I almost forgot to do was say a prayer of thanksgiving. I told God when I got in my Edge, "Well, it's you and me, and I'm depending on you to get me there safely." He did. I sighed a little prayer.
Psalms 65, verses five through seven remind us that,
5 You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds,
God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas,
6 who formed the mountains by your power,
having armed yourself with strength,
7 who stilled the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
and the turmoil of the nations.
God is the one who made the weather do what it does. God sent us the snow and the freezing temperatures. When I was a little girl, Dad and Mom would take us to Dairy Queen or United Dairy Farmers for ice cream after Sunday evening church. Sometimes, friends of ours would go with us. We were all sitting in the back of the Wagoneer and he swerved or stopped suddenly and her ice cream spilled. She hollered, "Lew did it!" We laughed about that for a long time. Blame gets you know where, especially with God. No matter what comes our way, we can't blame God. He will give you the guidance and knowledge to get through it. So when something does happen, you can holler, "God did it!"
Psalms 65, verses five through seven remind us that,
5 You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds,
God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas,
6 who formed the mountains by your power,
having armed yourself with strength,
7 who stilled the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
and the turmoil of the nations.
God is the one who made the weather do what it does. God sent us the snow and the freezing temperatures. When I was a little girl, Dad and Mom would take us to Dairy Queen or United Dairy Farmers for ice cream after Sunday evening church. Sometimes, friends of ours would go with us. We were all sitting in the back of the Wagoneer and he swerved or stopped suddenly and her ice cream spilled. She hollered, "Lew did it!" We laughed about that for a long time. Blame gets you know where, especially with God. No matter what comes our way, we can't blame God. He will give you the guidance and knowledge to get through it. So when something does happen, you can holler, "God did it!"
Monday, January 17, 2011
Psalms 61 & 62
Friday was so busy for me at work, that I didn't get to post a devotion. I do not like it when I get so busy I can not get a devotion out to you. Both you and I need the encouragement from God's word. It was a long, week for us at church, especially with the illnesses and sadness that we ended with. Many of you have expressed your sorrow for our Christian Sister, Iona, who went to be with the Lord. I always, always think that they are the lucky ones. They don't have to deal with life. They get to rest now.
In Psalm 61:3 the Psalmist says, For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.
God is where we turn to in these times. He is a our strength, carrying us when we can't go on.
Psalm 62:5 says, Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
We can find rest in God. Our hope in everything is because of him. Amen, and amen!
In Psalm 61:3 the Psalmist says, For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.
God is where we turn to in these times. He is a our strength, carrying us when we can't go on.
Psalm 62:5 says, Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
We can find rest in God. Our hope in everything is because of him. Amen, and amen!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
God is Your Fortress
As I read Psalm 59, the words that jumped off the page at me was the first and last verse. I am finding during these psalms, that the psalmist is doing a lot of, not necessarily complaining, but telling God his troubles. I know this is what God wants from us. He wants us to tell him the low points in our lives, as well as the high ones. But through it all, the author tells God that he is the protector of his life.
Psalm 59:1
1 Deliver me from my enemies, O God;
be my fortress against those who are attacking me.
Psalm 59:17
17 You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
you, God, are my fortress,
my God on whom I can rely.
Tell God about your day. Tell him the good and the bad and thank him for being your fortress.
Psalm 59:1
1 Deliver me from my enemies, O God;
be my fortress against those who are attacking me.
Psalm 59:17
17 You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
you, God, are my fortress,
my God on whom I can rely.
Tell God about your day. Tell him the good and the bad and thank him for being your fortress.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Only God's Judgement
This morning, I was looking over some of the news clips that comes through my email and this headline from USA Today caught my attention.
Do you rulers indeed speak justly?
Do you judge people with equity?
2 No, in your heart you devise injustice,
and your hands mete out violence on the earth. 3 Even from birth the wicked go astray;
from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies.
4 Their venom is like the venom of a snake,
like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,
5 that will not heed the tune of the charmer,
however skillful the enchanter may be.
6 Break the teeth in their mouths, O God;
LORD, tear out the fangs of those lions!
7 Let them vanish like water that flows away;
when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short.
8 May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along,
like a stillborn child that never sees the sun.
9 Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns—
whether they be green or dry—the wicked will be swept away.
10 The righteous will be glad when they are avenged,
when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 Then people will say,
“Surely the righteous still are rewarded;
surely there is a God who judges the earth.”
I hope you are praying for all involved in Saturday's shootings. The families still need lots of that. As for the protesters, I know they have every right to be there, but I don't have to agree with their logic or antics. They will have to answer to God for themselves.
Church of hate thanks God for Ariz. deaths, will picket funeral
Church of hate? That alone will raise a few angry eyebrows. This group protests funerals of soldiers and just recently they picketed Elizabeth Edward's funeral. Now they say they are going to picket the funeral of the nine-year-old girl that was shot in Tucson on Saturday. Seriously? This group says that all this violence is God getting back at America with all the terrible things that are going on; cancer, shootings, war, anything we deem as sad and bad, they are saying is purposely reigning down his judgment now. If you want to read more on this, look up Westboro Baptist Church.
All this comes to mind the Psalm I read this morning. Psalm 58. Read for yourself. The psalmist is saying that people set about to do their wicked deeds no matter what and God will stop them. God's judgment is all we need to worry about. Not those of the Westboro Baptist Church who have twisted things to the point that they are picketing a little girl who was brutally murdered randomly?
Do you judge people with equity?
2 No, in your heart you devise injustice,
and your hands mete out violence on the earth. 3 Even from birth the wicked go astray;
from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies.
4 Their venom is like the venom of a snake,
like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,
5 that will not heed the tune of the charmer,
however skillful the enchanter may be.
6 Break the teeth in their mouths, O God;
LORD, tear out the fangs of those lions!
7 Let them vanish like water that flows away;
when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short.
8 May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along,
like a stillborn child that never sees the sun.
9 Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns—
whether they be green or dry—the wicked will be swept away.
10 The righteous will be glad when they are avenged,
when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 Then people will say,
“Surely the righteous still are rewarded;
surely there is a God who judges the earth.”
I hope you are praying for all involved in Saturday's shootings. The families still need lots of that. As for the protesters, I know they have every right to be there, but I don't have to agree with their logic or antics. They will have to answer to God for themselves.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Encourage
As I was reading Psalm 57, I was struck by two things. First, verse 6 tells that your enemies set traps for you, but they end up falling in them, not you. Doesn't this give you hope? It does me. If I keep doing what God wants, Satan surely will keep attacking me, using everything he can. But it will all fall away and likely make my enemies look bad.
The second thing that I spotted right off is that no matter what, the Psalmist praised God. Be exalted. I will praise you. For great is Your love. No matter what, he praises God. He still tells him he loves and depends on him. Do you do that when you are being persecuted? Do you praise God for your sickness or in spite of your illness? It can't be easy at times. So as brothers and sisters in Christ, we need to see and share those burdens as we can. Send a card, tell them you are thinking of them. Visit them. We have several that are in our midst that need our encouragement right now. I urge you to go see them, take a meal, send a card. It will uplift both of you!
1 Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.
2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who vindicates me.
3 He sends from heaven and saves me,
rebuking those who hotly pursue me—
God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.
4 I am in the midst of lions;
I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.
6 They spread a net for my feet—
I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path—
but they have fallen into it themselves.
7 My heart, O God, is steadfast,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.
8 Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth
The second thing that I spotted right off is that no matter what, the Psalmist praised God. Be exalted. I will praise you. For great is Your love. No matter what, he praises God. He still tells him he loves and depends on him. Do you do that when you are being persecuted? Do you praise God for your sickness or in spite of your illness? It can't be easy at times. So as brothers and sisters in Christ, we need to see and share those burdens as we can. Send a card, tell them you are thinking of them. Visit them. We have several that are in our midst that need our encouragement right now. I urge you to go see them, take a meal, send a card. It will uplift both of you!
1 Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.
2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who vindicates me.
3 He sends from heaven and saves me,
rebuking those who hotly pursue me—
God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.
4 I am in the midst of lions;
I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.
6 They spread a net for my feet—
I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path—
but they have fallen into it themselves.
7 My heart, O God, is steadfast,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.
8 Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Reaching Out
The other day, I decided to start listening to K-Love. You know, the Christian music station. A lot of you listen to this station. This month they are promoting to listening to nothing but Christian music for a month and tell them how it affected you. I like the concept, so I decided to give it a try. So far, I have heard a couple of new songs that I like. This one below being one. It's called Reaching For You. It's a good song to start a service with. I imagined, when I heard it, some movements for it that kids may enjoy doing. It's that kind of song, you know, a get-up-and-move kind of song. But more than that, the words moved me. Then I read Psalm 56. The last couple of lines to the psalm reminded me of this song. Here is verses 12 and 13.
I present my thank offerings to you..., ...that I may walk before God in the light of life. I reach out to God. I love him and want to always be with him.
12 I am under vows to you, my God;
I will present my thank offerings to you.
13 For you have delivered me from death
and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God
in the light of life.
Reaching For You
Songwriters: Paul Baloche, Lincoln Brewster
Performed by Lincoln Brewster
You created me inside Your great imagination
You're the One who gave me my first breath
You have overseen my life and brought me to redemption
And I know that You're not finished with me yet
I'm reaching for You
I'm singing to You
I'm lifting my hands to praise You
I'm lifting my voice to thank You
I'm reaching for You
Jesus I need You
I'm giving my heart to know You
I'm living my life to serve You
I'm reaching for You
You're the one who spoke the Word of life to light my darkness
You opened up my eyes 'til I could see
Jesus You have promised to complete the work You started
Faithful to fulfill Your grace in me
Pour out Your love from heaven
Fill me until I overflow Lord I want more
Reach down Your hands from heaven
Pull me closer than ever before Lord I want more
Pour out Your love from heaven
Fill me until I overflow 'cause I want more
Reach down Your hands from heaven
Pull me closer than ever before Lord I want more
Oh I'm reaching
God I'm reaching for You
I present my thank offerings to you..., ...that I may walk before God in the light of life. I reach out to God. I love him and want to always be with him.
12 I am under vows to you, my God;
I will present my thank offerings to you.
13 For you have delivered me from death
and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God
in the light of life.
Reaching For You
Songwriters: Paul Baloche, Lincoln Brewster
Performed by Lincoln Brewster
You created me inside Your great imagination
You're the One who gave me my first breath
You have overseen my life and brought me to redemption
And I know that You're not finished with me yet
I'm reaching for You
I'm singing to You
I'm lifting my hands to praise You
I'm lifting my voice to thank You
I'm reaching for You
Jesus I need You
I'm giving my heart to know You
I'm living my life to serve You
I'm reaching for You
You're the one who spoke the Word of life to light my darkness
You opened up my eyes 'til I could see
Jesus You have promised to complete the work You started
Faithful to fulfill Your grace in me
Pour out Your love from heaven
Fill me until I overflow Lord I want more
Reach down Your hands from heaven
Pull me closer than ever before Lord I want more
Pour out Your love from heaven
Fill me until I overflow 'cause I want more
Reach down Your hands from heaven
Pull me closer than ever before Lord I want more
Oh I'm reaching
God I'm reaching for You
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Psalm 55
Psalm 55
1 Listen to my prayer, O God,
do not ignore my plea;
2 hear me and answer me.
My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught
3 because of what my enemy is saying,
because of the threats of the wicked;
for they bring down suffering on me
and assail me in their anger.
do not ignore my plea;
2 hear me and answer me.
My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught
3 because of what my enemy is saying,
because of the threats of the wicked;
for they bring down suffering on me
and assail me in their anger.
What do you do when someone tries to spread rumors about you and turn the whole world against you? You know that they are just trying to be hurtful, it does hit the mark. As with most rumors, they are lies.
the terrors of death have fallen on me.
5 Fear and trembling have beset me;
horror has overwhelmed me.
6 I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest.
7 I would flee far away
and stay in the desert;
8 I would hurry to my place of shelter,
far from the tempest and storm.”
You want to punch, scream, cry, escape from the barrage of lies that you feel you are facing every day. But you can not. You have more self-esteem than that. You are the bigger person, aren't you? God listens to your prayers, especially when you are in the heat of a battle like this.
22 Cast your cares on the LORD
and he will sustain you;
he will never let
the righteous be shaken.
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